Inspired By The Value Of Bali Tradition, The Uniqueness Of Contemporary Furniture Design

JAKARTA The design world is again partying at the IFFINA+ 2025 event, and one of the warmest moments comes through the Design Talks session. This year the spotlight is focused on the presence of the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) which brings new enthusiasm, namely connecting global materials with local Indonesian stories.

The first collaboration between Hendro Hadinata, Studio designer Hendro Hadinata with AHEC gave birth to an experimental project titled Karana. This collection is not just furniture, but a work that tells the story.

Inspired by the philosophy of Bali Tri Hita Karana, the harmony between humans, nature, and spirituality, Hendro gave birth to three main works namely Kuta Bench, Sanur Lounge Chair, and Ubud Light.

Its shape is organic, flowing, as well as contemporary. What makes it unique, Hendro uses American redmen's wood and Americanmen, a type of wood with strong and beautiful character that is rarely explored in Southeast Asia.

This collaboration is even more special because Hendro collaborates with local manufacturing Omega Mas, producing furniture with high precision but still maintaining a touch of art. The result is a collection that not only captivates the eyes, but also full of cultural meanings.

AHEC is not just an American wood promoter. This organization is actively researching Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to ensure the carbon footprint of the wood used is really low.

Interestingly, the volume of wood harvested in America can be replaced in just seconds by the natural growth of the forest there.

This means that American Hardwood-based furniture is not only an aesthetic but also an environmentally friendly choice.

"This material is strong, easy to define and has a variety of fiber and rich colors. For me, Karana is proof of how global collaboration can enrich the local narrative," said Hendro, when met at BSD City, Tangerang on Thursday, September 19, 2025.

This session also features Dennis Pluemer, founder of Relax Furniture, who is known to be consistent with sustainable design practices. Dennis emphasized that the current generation of consumers is increasingly concerned about material origins.

"Materials like American Hardwood, which come from sustainable and fast-growing forests, provide an important option to respond to demand for environmentally friendly furniture in the global market." he explained.

Karana's presence at IFFINA+ 2025 is a symbol that creativity, sustainability and culture can go hand in hand. With the support of AHEC, Indonesian designers are invited to dare to explore international materials without losing their local identity.

More than just furniture, Karana is a story about how design can become a bridge between tradition and modernity, local and global, aesthetic and environmental responsibility.